SAT Scams

[John]

On my way to the office this morning I heard on the news that some seemingly reputable SAT test preparation companies have been intentionally scoring prep tests low in order to get parents to shell out for extra products and courses.  None of the companies would admit that they resort to such tactics, but if you have a teen and have been considering SAT test prep, check the companies out first.

[Jesse]

John,

I heard or saw something recently that said that SAT Prep courses did not actually improve SAT scores. I'll see if I can dig up the article and post it.

[Jesse]

Ok, found it in the WSJ free section:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124278685697537839.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

SAT Coaching Found to Boost Scores -- Barely
Study Results Run Counter to Test-Prep Course Claims; How Colleges Fuel Industry

By JOHN HECHINGER

(Please see corrections and amplifications item below.)

Families can spend thousands of dollars on coaching to help college-bound students boost their SAT scores. But a new report finds that these test-preparation courses aren't as beneficial as consumers are led to believe.

The report, to be released Wednesday by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, criticizes common test-prep-industry marketing practices, including promises of big score gains with no hard data to back up such claims. The report also finds fault with the frequent use of mock SAT tests because they can be devised to inflate score gains when students take the actual SAT. The association represents 11,000 college admissions officers, high-school guidance counselors and private advisors.

"It breaks my heart to see families who can't afford it spending money they desperately need on test prep when no evidence would indicate that this is money well-spent," says William Fitzsimmons, Harvard University's dean of undergraduate admissions, who led a group at the college admissions association that prompted the report.

[Caron]

My daughter did just fine on her SATs with the $15-20 Princeton Review SAT study guide from amazon .....  Also, she did it at her convenience and not according to a class schedule.

[Jesse]

Apparently nothing beats sitting down and taking practice tests with actual SAT questions from the people who create the SAT as in the book you mention.

[John]

Ok, found it in the WSJ free section:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124278685697537839.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

SAT Coaching Found to Boost Scores -- Barely
Study Results Run Counter to Test-Prep Course Claims; How Colleges Fuel Industry

By JOHN HECHINGER

(Please see corrections and amplifications item below.)

Families can spend thousands of dollars on coaching to help college-bound students boost their SAT scores. But a new report finds that these test-preparation courses aren't as beneficial as consumers are led to believe.

The report, to be released Wednesday by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, criticizes common test-prep-industry marketing practices, including promises of big score gains with no hard data to back up such claims. The report also finds fault with the frequent use of mock SAT tests because they can be devised to inflate score gains when students take the actual SAT. The association represents 11,000 college admissions officers, high-school guidance counselors and private advisors.

"It breaks my heart to see families who can't afford it spending money they desperately need on test prep when no evidence would indicate that this is money well-spent," says William Fitzsimmons, Harvard University's dean of undergraduate admissions, who led a group at the college admissions association that prompted the report.

Thanks, Jesse.  I'm starting to look into SAT prep for my older son.  I think I'll go with the Princeton Review self-study course like Caron suggests.

[MisterMercator]

There is nothing better than taking the practice tests, there are many online as well.  However, what many do not know is there is a definite strategy to taking the SAT's.  The main one is to realize that you have 3 points deducted for a wrong answer, and only 1 point for not answering.  So if taking the test, the best advice that can be given, is DO NOT GUESS, and rushing to complete is not suggested either.  If you do not know the answer by pass it.

My son took the SAT's 3 times, and improved each time.  We are firm believers that anyone can have a bad test day.  So we went with  Junior year- October, Junior year - May and Senior Year October.  Concentrating studies on verbal and math.  When we visited Madison they told us they only used that for deciding what english course to start the student with.

Luckily there are no better selection of colleges in the country than in Virginia.

[John]

There is nothing better than taking the practice tests, there are many online as well.  However, what many do not know is there is a definite strategy to taking the SAT's.  The main one is to realize that you have 3 points deducted for a wrong answer, and only 1 point for not answering.  So if taking the test, the best advice that can be given, is DO NOT GUESS, and rushing to complete is not suggested either.  If you do not know the answer by pass it.

My son took the SAT's 3 times, and improved each time.  We are firm believers that anyone can have a bad test day.  So we went with  Junior year- October, Junior year - May and Senior Year October.  Concentrating studies on verbal and math.  When we visited Madison they told us they only used that for deciding what english course to start the student with.

Luckily there are no better selection of colleges in the country than in Virginia.

My son is a bad tester.  He (usually) knows the material, but for some reason he doesn't do well on tests.  Some kind of performance anxeity, I suppose, which is funny because he has no problem at all performing solo on his guitar in front of an audience.

He's a rising junior, so I think lots and lots of practice SATs are in his near future.

And you're absolutely right about VA colleges.  There are none better, including the Ivy League schools which have been living on reputation for far too long.